Pipe joint glands

Abstract

A ductile iron molded pipe joint gland used to create an effective and lasting seal between interfitting pipe sections allows considerable deflection of the joint in any direction from the axis of the pipeline without loss of seal integrity. The interfitting pipe sections are mechanically joined securely by the gland and compressible seal in a follower gland embodiment and also by angled set screws in a retainer gland embodiment. The pipe joint gland utilizes a minimum of material for reduced weight and savings of energy in its manufacture and transportation without sacrifice of strength. The construction and shallow angle of the sealing gasket engaging face of the gland prevents gasket creep under high pressure.

I claim: 
     
       1. A pipe joint gland for forming an effective fluid seal between interfitting bell and spigot pipe sections, comprising: (a) a web of substantially constant thickness adapted to surround a spigot pipe section in a plane normal to the spigot pipe section axis;   (b) a generally axial wall connected to the interior margin of the web, adapted to surround the spigot pipe section and extending from one side of the web;   (c) an elastic seal annular contact face formed on the end of the wall away from the web, wherein the face; (i) tapers, from its outer periphery, at a shallow angle to a plane normal to the axis of the spigot pipe section, toward the web;   (ii) is radially wider than the wall; and   (iii) projects inwardly from the interior surface of the wall;     (d) a plurality of bosses formed circumferentially and spaced equidistantly from each other on the side of the web away from the wall, radially outward of the wall; and   (e) a plurality of bolt holes penetrating the bosses and the web, wherein each corresponds to a boss and: (i) is circular in shape on the end of the boss away from the wall;   (ii) is oval in shape on the side of the web toward the wall; and   (iii) tapers uniformly from circular to oval shape.     
     
     
       2. The pipe joint gland of claim 1 wherein the major axes of the oval portions of said bolt holes are circumferentially disposed on the gland. 
     
     
       3. The pipe joint gland of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of radial ribs located on the web, each connecting a boss to said wall. 
     
     
       4. The pipe joint gland of claim 3 further comprising a plurality of outer scalloped arcuate ribs located on the periphery of the web, each connecting two adjacent bosses. 
     
     
       5. The pipe joint gland of claim 1 further comprising a continuous interior annular rim formed on the end of the wall away from the web, the rim defining the inner margin of the elastic seal annular contact face. 
     
     
       6. The pipe joint gland of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of set screw bosses formed circumferentially equally spaced on the web, each set screw boss having a threaded opening axially offset from the plane of the web at an acute angle. 
     
     
       7. The pipe joint gland of claim 6 further comprising a plurality of set screws, each disposed in one of the threaded openings. 
     
     
       8. The pipe joint gland of claim 6 wherein each threaded opening is axially offset from the plane of the web at any angle of substantially ten degrees. 
     
     
       9. The pipe joint gland of claim 1 wherein the gland comprises ductile iron. 
     
     
       10. A pipe joint gland for forming an effective fluid seal between interfitting bell and spigot pipe sections, comprising: (a) a web adapted to surround a spigot pipe section in a plane normal to the spigot pipe section axis;   (b) a generally axial wall connected to the interior margin of the web, adapted to surround the spigot pipe section and extending from one side of the web;   (c) an elastic seal annular contact face formed on the end of the wall away from the web, wherein the face: (i) tapers, from its outer periphery, at a shallow angle to a plane normal to the axis of the spigot pipe section, toward the web;   (ii) is radially wider than the wall; and   (iii) projects inwardly from the interior surface of the web;     (d) a plurality of bosses formed circumferentially and spaced equidistantly from each other on the side of the web away from the wall, radially outward of the wall;   (e) a plurality of bolt holes, each penetrating a boss and the web;   (f) a plurality of radial ribs located only on the side of the web away from the wall, each connecting a boss to the wall; and   (g) a plurality of outer scalloped arcuate ribs located only on the periphery of the web, each connecting two adjacent bosses.   
     
     
       11. The pipe joint gland of claim 10 wherein each of the bolt holes: (i) is circular in shape on the end of the boss away from the wall;   (ii) is oval in shape on the side of the web toward the wall; and   (iii) tapers uniformly from circular to oval shape.   
     
     
       12. The pipe joint gland of claim 11 wherein the major axes of the oval portions of said bolt holes are circumferentially disposed on the gland. 
     
     
       13. The pipe joint gland of claim 10 further comprising a continuous interior annular rim formed on the end of the wall away from the web, the rim defining the inner margin of the elastic seal annular contact face. 
     
     
       14. The pipe joint gland of claim 10 further comprising a plurality of set screw bosses formed circumferentially equally spaced on the web, each set screw boss having a threaded opening axially offset from the plane of the web at an acute angle. 
     
     
       15. The pipe joint gland of claim 14 further comprising a plurality of set screws, each disposed in one of the threaded openings. 
     
     
       16. The pipe joint gland of claim 14 wherein each threaded opening is axially offset from the plane of the web by an angle of substantially ten degrees. 
     
     
       17. The pipe joint gland of claim 10 wherein the gland comprises ductile iron.